Small Business Owners Can Help Clean Up Gulf Coast

Small business owners looking for ways to help the Gulf Coast recover from the BP oil spill disaster have a number of options. One way to assist the region is to donate, wrote guest expert Steve Strauss in USA Today.

“Whether it is giving staff time off to head to the Gulf or going down there yourself, giving time and effort can make a significant difference,” Strauss said.

Volunteering is another viable, direct option for helping. Many states run their own volunteer programs; the national government has also set up a volunteer hotline.

Owners of boating companies may also donate their time and boats to clean up and rescue activities through BP’s “Vessels of Opportunity” program.

Restaurant owners may want to consider purchasing Dawn products, said Strauss, as $1 of each purchase is donated to the Marine Mammal Center and the International Bird Rescue Research Center. Seeking out such programs is simple and can be effective in assistance efforts.

Though the long-term effects of the spill on small business owners along the coast is unclear, fishing companies are being especially devastated as trapping and fishing in the area is closed. According to the Wall Street Journal, the closed waters now constitute 54,096 miles.